Kennard reacts to recent offers

Brian Snow

07/28/2013

His recruitment was never lacking for interest, but recently things have gone to an entirely new level for class of 2015 wing Luke Kennard.

Ever since the Peach Jam it has been a busy time for Luke Kennard and his family. Always an elite prospect, everyone had a chance to see it at the Peach Jam and since then he has been racking up the offers. Now Kennard has to sit back and think about what will be next.

Seemingly every time his phone rings it is a new area code, and for Kennard that usually means a new offer is on the way.

"It has been real busy," said Kennard. "Since Peach Jam I have been getting a lot of calls and a few more offers. It has been a lot of fun. I have liked it so far."

Still even with those new offers, Kennard says nothing has really changed from the process him and his family laid out at the beginning.

"We are just taking it real slow right now," said Kennard. "I am not that overwhelmed by it all. We are going to have to start narrowing down a list pretty soon to the top six-or-eight. I think I have an idea of those schools, but I am not for sure yet."

One offer that created major waves was from Kentucky. John Calipari saw Kennard at the Peach Jam and decided to offer, and that was big for Kennard.

"It was a dream come true," said Kennard. "I liked Kentucky growing up. My family kind of has liked Kentucky a lot. He called me one night and said he wants to coach me one day. I really like them. I took a visit last year. I got to see the campus, talk to Coach Cal, and I really like how they run stuff there."

He continued, "Coach Cal develops players every year. No matter what they always have players in the first round. I really like Coach Cal and UK."

Another big offer came from Duke. Coach Mike Krzyzewski also offered after seeing Kennard at the Peach Jam, and has been in contact ever since.

"Coach K called me one night and offered me," explained Kennard. "One of his assistants has been texting me a lot. Coach K has been texting me. He told me he couldn't be in Orlando because he is helping the USA team in Vegas. He said he wants to coach me one day that I could maybe be an American favorite. I just like how he runs things at Duke."

Even with new offers from some of the premier "blue blood" programs, Kennard says the schools that have been there from the beginning are still going to be tough to beat.

"Ohio State, Michigan, and Indiana are still definitely in my top eight," said Kennard. "I will say that for sure. Ohio State and Michigan are way up there because they have been on me the longest, and that is a big thing."

Overall Kennard isn't sure of what will happen next in his recruitment, but there is one thing he does know.

"I am just not sure of what I am going to do yet," said Kennard. "All I know for sure is that this is going to be a tough choice."